The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-08

The position of the Democrats, yesterday,
concerning the reports of the House investiea-
ton OF the benevolent institutions, showed their
inability to meet any defense except by falsify-
ing and adjusting parts of evidence to suit their
purposes. 1t took the greater part of the morn
ing to read the majorty's conclusions and facts
on which they were based, and in the afternoon,
when the minority report was presented signed
by all the Democrats, its reading and the ex-
PLANTATION of votes on the motion to substitute it
for the majority report, brought the proceedings
up to o'clock. In the morning Representative
Gordon tried to prevent the reading OF the
majority's report because it was written, and it
and its accompanying evidence had not been
printed in time to place copies on the members
desks. He made something Of fuss over this
technical requirement he found in the resolution
authorizing the inquiry, and was in
clined to rant over what he termed
bad faith But he, on being Quoted with an ad-
verse ruling became one Of the most attentive
listeners to the majoritys report which said that
the fullest opportunity has been afforded to the
board of trustees and all persons connected with
the management of the Insane Asylum to intro
duce any evidence which they might deem prop
part of the State. The board OF trustees has
been represented by able counsel, while the COM
mittee has been materially aided at it's labors by
the services of Messrs. Lucus b. Swift and Oil
yer T. Morton. The matters particularly in
Quired into were the following:
Frst-The moral character of Thomas H.
Harrison, president Of the board OF trustees.
Second-The diligence, efficiency and faithful
ness with which the members of the board have
discharged the duties of their Office.
Third-The manner in which thesempoyes OF
the institution have been selected.
Fourth--Their competency for the respective
positions to which they have been appointed.
Flfth-The treatment of PATIENTS to
whether it has been considerable and humane or
cruel and brutal.
Sixth-The method of purchasing supplies for
the asylum.
Seventh-The kind and quality of the food
furnished to the patients, and the preparation OF
the same for the table
Eighth--The safety OF the eight new boilers
which were placed in service in the early part of
1886.
Ninth-The correctness OF the last published
report Of the board of trustees
Tenth-The collection of money from time to
time from the employees for political purposes.
Eeventh--The interest taken by the employees
in politics. and its effect the welfare of the
institution.
Observation-Disclosures matters.
resenta,ves who were most influential in secur-
ing the passage Of the Brown bill. under which
the present trustees were appointed, have been
rewarded by having friends and relatives ap
pointed to positions in tho Insane Hospital Mr..
Faulkner, of the Senate Of 1883. had on the pay
roll of the institution n daughter, nephew and
two neces; Senator Bell. brother: Senator
Howard, a son, and Senator'S Fowler, Hilligass
Duncan and others, appointments made at their
suggestion and on their recommendation. DR.
Thomas II. Harrison worked actively for the
passage OF the Brown bill. his motive being, as
ne admitted, a purely selfish one. without any
regard to whether or not the benevolent iEstiru
tions of the State would be benefited or iuj ured
by the proposed changes in the existing law. He
urged Mr.. Hall, the present book keeper and
storekeeper of the hospital to come here and
work for the passage of the bill, assuring him G
place under the management Mr. Hal
spent two or three weeks lobbying for the bill
among his friends in the General Assembly or
the plea that he might be provided for with q
place John E. Sullivan. who received
great many contracts for furnishing
butter eggs and poultry to the different
asylums under the presidency of Dr. Harrison
was also instrumental in having the Brown bill
passed. He gave supper in celebration of it
passage which was attended by DR.. Harrison an(
other prominent lobbyists for the measure il
and out of the General Assembly The passag
Of the bill was, in part at least. matter of bar
gain and sale, corruptly brought about by prom
Uses and Inducements on the part of DR.. Hacri
son and his friends of the most reprehensb
character
In 1876 charges were preferred against DR.
Thos H. Harrison before the Drake Medical So
ciety of Boone county, alleging that he al
abortionist for hire, and that he was in the hab
1t of speaking unexpectedly of his female ia
tents and boastng that he had had criminal re
lations with the most respectable women Twin
In Lebanon. He made no effort t
prove the falsty of these charges. blu
allowed his name to be droppe
from tho rolls of the society for failure to an
pear and answer the accusations. The repor
tefers to the after trial by the County Commits
sioners on those and additional charges when h
was county SUPERINTENDENT. He was then &C
Quilted after his conser mad made every effort t
prevent a hearing of the case on its merits. On
OF the Commissioners testified before the com
mittee that in rendering their verdict of acqult
tai they took into consideration the fact tina
their jurisdiction had been questioned and tina
the evidence related to time prior to his cleo
ton as county Superintendent. He also testified
mat ID. Harrison's general reputation was bad
Democratic politicians and office holders, with
few hepuohcans to Offset this testimony teso
fled that during the past eight or ten YEAR
DR. Harrlsons reputation for morality ant
truth and veracity had been good Taking al
the evidence together, the committee finds tina
mp to 1876 his moral character was very bad an.
that since that time there has been some i'm
provement. DR. Harrison has been challen gee
TO bring an action for libel against papers tina
published these charges. but he has in ever,
Instance failed to go. There is no justification
for the longer retention of such man as presi
dent OF the board of trustees. indeed Their
was no warrant for his original appointment.
DIR. Harrison has drawn a salary of 81, 600
year, while the law allows him, in our judy
ment. but 5000. He has overdrawn his salar!
in the past four years $500 He contends tina
he Ia not only entitled to 5000 as president o
the board of trustees. but to $400 as trustee o
the Esssf and Dumb Asylum. and 5000 as trus
tee of the Blind Asylum. Anything over ant
above the 5000 per year which has been paid T.
Dr. Harrison has been paid contrary 10 law an,
upon forced, strained and unreasonable in
depreciation of the statute regulating tn
salaries of the boards OF trustees.
In violation of the statute the present board o